Who Should I See For Back Pain

Should You See A Doctor If Youre Having Back Pain

Answer: Yes, itâs important to see a doctor if youâre experiencing cauda equina syndrome with pain.

There are many reasons for back pain and treatments differ depending on the causes.

It is important to have your back checked by a professional to determine what the cause of your back pain is and how best to treat it.

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For Your Convenience Weve Divided These Causes Into Five Categories As Follows

• Low risk: This can be easily managed with over-the-counter medications or by avoiding the movement/stressor causing your pain.
• Low-medium risk: Usually managed as an outpatient by your doctor with prescription medication.
• Medium risk: May require a visit to your doctor or hospitalization. Prescription medication may be necessary.
• Medium-high risk: Hospitalization or urgent intervention. Although not life-threatening get help immediately of some kind.
• High risk: Serious and potentially lethal complications possible emergent intervention needed Intensive Care Unit care often needed.

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Treatment Options For Lower Back Pain

If your GP thinks there may be a specific cause for your back pain, they may refer you to a specialist to treat that specific condition.Usually, lower back pain gets better in a few days or weeks and often you can manage it yourself at home. For some advice about when to seek medical help, see our section on Symptoms.

Your physiotherapist or GP will probably encourage you to try self-help measures. They can also advise you on what exercises you can do to help your back. If the pain doesnt improve, then your GP can help with other options or may refer you to a specialist.

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When & How To Seek Medical Care

If low back pain lasts for longer than one to two weeks, seek medical care. First, make an appointment with your primary care physician.

Seek immediate medical attention if any of the following symptoms are present in addition to back pain:

• Severe abdominal pain

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Hip Pain Treatment At Home

When hip pain is mild, or if it comes and goes, you might be able to treat it at home and find relief. Try these home remedies for hip pain:

• Applying heat with a heating pad

• Applying ice, alternating between 20 minutes with the ice pack on followed by 20 minutes with the pack off

• Hydrotherapy including either taking a hot shower or soaking in a hot tub or whirlpool. At home, you can add Epsom salts to a warm bath for added benefit.

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications, such as ibuprofen

• Resting the hip including avoiding activities that make the pain worse. Avoid sleeping on your side. If you routinely sleep on your side, use a firm pillow between your knees to help align your hips.

• Stretching exercises for the lower back and hip area

If hip pain comes on suddenly and severely, or if home remedies dont alleviate the within a week, you should seek medical attention.

When to See a Doctor for Hip Pain

In certain situations, you should seek immediate medical attention for hip pain. Call 911 if:

• You cannot bear weight on the hip joint

• The joint appears deformed

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How Is Back Pain Treated

Acute back pain usually gets better on its own. Acute back pain is usually treated with:

• Medications designed to relieve pain and/or inflammation
• analgesics such as acetaminophen and aspirin
• non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and naproxen may be sold over the counter some NSAIDS are prescribed by a physician
• muscle relaxants are prescription drugs that are used on a short-term basis to relax tight muscles
• topical pain relief such as creams, gels, patches, or sprays applied to the skin stimulate the nerves in the skin to provide feelings of warmth or cold in order to dull the sensation of pain. Common topical medications include capsaicin and lidocaine.

Exercising, bed rest, and surgery are typically not recommended for acute back pain.Chronic back pain is most often treated with a stepped care approach, moving from simple low-cost treatments to more aggressive approaches. Specific treatments may depend on the identified cause of the back pain.

Perform Hip Stretches Before Going To Bed

Hip stretches are especially important if youre suffering from hip and lower back pain at night. These could point to tight muscles being the culprit of your pain.

As ManageBackPain.com explains, talk to your doctor about stretches you can try. Or, for more mild cases of hip pain, try the following stretches from Exercise For Injuries. These will work out the tension youre holding in your hips and can relieve pain before bed.

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How To Know When To See A Doctor About Back Pain

As mentioned earlier, most back pain improves in a few weeks with self-care and isnt a cause for concern. Still, back pain can be debilitating, and some patients need a doctors help to cope with the pain or treat the problem with nonsurgical or surgical techniques. Back pain also can sometimes be a sign of a serious medical condition.

Its a good idea to visit a doctor if youre experiencing the following:

1. Nighttime PainFor some people, lying down in bed makes their back pain worse, no matter what position theyre in. They might not have any back pain until they go to bed. Although nighttime back pain may be caused by common conditions like a sprain or scoliosis, it can be due to something serious, like an infection, fracture, nerve compression or spinal tumor. You should always get looked at by a doctor for any condition that disrupts your sleep.

2. Weakness, Numbness or TinglingIf youre experiencing numbness, weakness or tingling with your back pain, you could have nerve damage or irritation. You should go to a doctor for nerve pain if it persists, especially if OTC pain relievers dont help. If nerve pain does not get treated, it can lead to permanent damage.

3. FeverA fever, along with back pain, can mean theres an infection. Spinal infections include vertebral osteomyelitis, meningitis or a spinal epidural abscess. Spinal infections require immediate medical attention.

You’ve Been In Pain For Over A Week

Most back pain will subside after a few days, but if you’ve been experiencing pain for over a week, then it’s time to call a doctor. Your doctor will perform any examinations or tests required to help get to the bottom of your pain before it could become a bigger problem. As is the case with many health conditions, prevention and addressing problems early is key.

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What Causes Lower Back Pain And When Should I Get Help

Orthopedic back and spine treatment usually starts with conservative approaches that include pain management, physical and occupational therapies, and rehabilitation. The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons reminds us that chronic back pain can get worse if left untreated, so it’s important to visit a doctor early on who can start you with the right treatment.

Some of the most common causes of lower back pain include:

We Feel And Heal Your Pain

Painful joints may not always be avoidable, but they are certainly treatable. If you are experiencing persistent back pain due to an injury, illness, work conditions or any other reason, an orthopedic physician can help. Call Orthopaedic Associates of Central Maryland at 644-1880 to find out what can be done to relieve your pain and get you back to doing what you enjoy the most.

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The Worst Spine Pain Is Often The Least Scariest

The good news is, the intensity of spine pain is an unreliable indicator of the conditionâs ominousness. While the most chronic and worst spine and low back pain are unbearable, some of the worst causes are less painful.

For instance, in the cauda equina syndrome, the spine pain can be very minimal to none at all. And this particular condition is a serious one.

On the other hand, many non-ominous conditions can result in chronic low back and spine pain. Consider a muscle cramp. It can be severely painful.

However, a muscle cramp is not a life-threatening condition. Painful as it is, the only thing itâs endangering is your comfort.

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Lower Back Pain And Cancer

Cancer involving the lumbar spine is not a common cause of back pain. However, in people who have a prior history of cancer, for example, in the breast or prostate, or who have weight loss or loss of appetite along with back pain cancer needs to be considered.

Night pain can be a clue to cancer in the spine. A benign tumor called osteoid osteoma, which most often affects young people, causes pain that tends to respond well to aspirin. Multiple myeloma is a malignancy that occurs when the plasma cells in the bone marrow begin spreading uncontrollably. It is most common in older people, and can cause pain in many parts of the spine. When tumor or infection are suspected, blood tests may be ordered, including a CBC , sedimentation rate , and protein electrophoresis .

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When Is It Time To Find The Best Back Injury Doctor Near Me

After an intense workout, a day spent digging in the garden, or an impromptu spin on the dance floor, its normal to feel some aches and pains from muscles that you dont use on a regular basis. However, when those normal aches and pains occur in your lower back, they can severely limit your daily activities and range of motion. When is it time to say, Its time to call the best lower back doctor near me!, and what can doctors do for back pain?

Temporary muscle soreness in your lower back is normal after physical exertion, and common after completing repetitive motions such as bending, reaching, and twisting. When lower back pain persists, or interferes with your normal, daily life, perhaps its time to ask, Where is the best back injury doctor near me? At Pain Treatment Specialists, youll not only find the most qualified back pain doctors, but also find cutting-edge and minimally invasive treatments for chronic lower back pain.

Back Pain Treatment In Westlake And Avon Ohio

Orthopaedic Associates, Inc. has an excellent orthopedic team comprised of 13 board-certified, fellowship-trained surgeons who deeply care for our patients. We take your treatment seriously and will stop at nothing to ensure you find relief.

If you are ready to say goodbye to back pain, call us today at 892-1440 to make an appointment. You can also request an appointment online. We look forward to serving you in our Westlake and Avon clinics!

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When Back Pain Is Serious: How To Tell What To Do

Most adults will experience back pain at some point. One of the most common medical complaints is lower back pain.

Typically, back pain is muscular in nature and short-term, often caused by strain from lifting heavy objects or sudden movement, says UH orthopedic specialist Zachary Gordon, MD. More serious back and spine problems may be caused by nerves, joints and discs, he says.

Most back pain will resolve on its own within a few weeks. Home care, including over-the-counter pain relievers, heat, ice and rest can help. If back pain doesnt subside and is disrupting daily activities or sleep, you should see a doctor. A primary care physician may help in cases where pain is caused by strain or mild injury.

Lower Back Pain Caused By Infection

Infections of the spine are not common, but they do occur. The doctor will ask about the usual signs and symptoms of infection, especially when back pain is accompanied by fever and/or chills. Dialysis patients, IV drug users, and patients who have recently had surgery, trauma, or skin infections are at risk for infections of the spine. Infections of the spine can be caused by a number of agents, most commonly bacteria. Doctors will first test for the presence of bacteria, then give antibiotics.

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Lumbar Spinal Stenosis: A Serious Condition That May Require Surgery

Walking distances may be difficult or you may need to lean forward to relieve pressure on your lower back due to spinal degeneration known as lumbar spinal stenosis. You might also be experiencing numbness or pain in your legs. Your bowel movements and bladder control may be difficult in more severe cases. If you have spinal stenosis, you may experience numbness and pain in your legs as you progress. It is possible that surgery will be required to relieve pressure on the nerves or spinal cord.

Answers To Common Back Pain Questions

More than eight in 10 people will experience upper, mid, or low back pain at some point in their lives. Low back pain is the most common back pain. In most cases, the pain goes away over time. If your back pain is severe or does not improve, you may need medical care. Here are answers to some common questions about back pain and tips on when to seek help.

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What Type Of Doctor Specializes In Back Problems

Orthopedists. Orthopedic doctors and surgeons are trained experts in the healing functions relative to the musculoskeletal system. This type of doctor is board certified and can help to treat any issues you may have with pain in the neck, spine, disc-related pain, and other common back pain complaints.

What Can I Do For Low Back Pain At Home

If your lower back pain has just started, the best thing you can do is start a log. Record your symptoms, times, dates and which activities trigger the pain or make it worse or better. Take this information to your family physician if the pain doesnt resolve on its own. It will make diagnosing the cause much easier.

Once you know which motion or position causes your lower back pain, try to avoid it and see if you get better. Icing the painful spot can also help. And so can over-the-counter pain relievers that help reduce inflammation. Just remember that pain killers treat only the symptom pain and not its cause.

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Inherited Biases Slow Care

Some of the roadblocks to faster care for women with endometriosis are the hard-to-budge cultural kind.

Most women with endometriosis develop it early in their reproductive years. Many, including Murphy, are told by their mothers to expect severe pain with their periods. Doctors say extreme pain that doesnt respond to typical over-the-counter remedies is not normal.

Culturally, there is this aversion, distancing, even in families, when issues occur with periods, Seckin said. Theres a tendency to underplay it.

Its likely that the mothers who describe extremely painful periods as normal suffer from endometriosis themselves. The condition is partially inherited.

Theres a known genetic component, Gregersen said. It runs in families. But as with all genetically complex diseases, its not always clear which genes are causing it.

Young women are also less likely to go to a gynecologist, whos best equipped to correctly identify endometriosis.

The first doctor theyll see is a GP or pediatrician, and many dont know what endometriosis is, Seckin said. In the physician community, theyre not any more informed than the general public. Seriously, you wouldnt believe it.

The Endometriosis Foundation of America has gone to schools with a lesson on endometriosis, reaching more than 7,000 Long Island high school students, to try to teach young women to recognize abnormally difficult periods.

When Should You Go To The Hospital For Nerve Pain

Any type of nerve compression requires prompt medical attention. If there is progressive numbness or weakness in the leg, it may have damaged the nerve, potentially resulting in leg loss. If a nerve has been compressed and the pain and symptoms are severe, surgery may be required.

The Pain Of Living With Nerve Pain

When someone is suffering from nerve pain, it can cause significant disability and interfere with their quality of life. If left untreated, depression and suicide are possible. Fortunately, there are a number of ways to relieve nerve pain, and with the assistance of a qualified healthcare provider, most people can live a relatively normal life.

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What Can The Emergency Room Do For A Pinched Nerve

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs , corticosteroids, or stronger narcotic medications can help relieve pain and reduce nerve swelling. Corticosteroids can also be given as injections, which will reduce inflammation and pain while allowing the nerve to heal.

How To Heal A Pinched Nerve

It is defined as the compression of the trunk or branches of a nerve. If the nerve is severely compressed, it may even cause paralysis or nerve damage. If the nerve is only slightly compressed, there may only be a few symptoms, such as pain and tingling. If you think you have a pinched nerve and persistent pain, you should seek medical attention. If you only have a slight pain for a couple of days, you should also seek medical attention. Non-surgical treatments, on the other hand, can help relieve pain without the need for lengthy surgery or downtime. If severe symptoms persist despite non-surgical treatment, the spinal doctor may advise a surgical procedure. Learn how to properly treat and heal pinched nerves.